Throughout the ages the lives and culture of the Jewish race have been sculpted by the Torah, a book that is to Jews as the Bible is to Christians. Indeed, from the time of the Jewish kingdoms they have always been governed by kings, the priesthood and prophets, all of whom had to have intimate knowledge of the Torah. To this day a Florida rabbi, as an example, must do the studies that were required of the members of the priesthood in ancient times.
The term Ribbi or Rabban, as they are also called, derives from the Hebrew word that translates as Great One or My Master. This indicates the measure of respect that these religious leaders enjoy within their communities and congregations. They are revered as scholars and their interpretation of the Jewish law is seen as final and authoritative. They almost always play a prominent leadership role within the Jewish community.
In order to be ordained as a Ribbi it is necessary to complete five years of study. The curriculum is dominated by studies of the Jewish law and responsa. Most Ribbis hold the qualification of Yore yore, which means He Shall Teach. Advanced studies may lead to the qualification of Yadin yadin, translating as He Shall Judge. A very small percentage of Ribbis hold the latter qualification.
There is more than one movement in Judaism and there have always been disputes about the legitimacy of Ribbis between the various branches of the religion. Ribbis from the Orthodox and Conservative movements for example, are reluctant to recognize or accept the authority of Ribbis from other movements. Rabbis from the Reform and Reconstructive movements will accept the leadership of Ribbis from other movements but they reject their interpretation of the Jewish law.
Traditionally only men qualified to be ordained as Ribbis. There are a few notable exceptions, such as Asenath Barzani, who worked as a rabbi among Kurdish Jews in the seventeenth century. With the exception of the Orthodox and some of the more conservative movements this is no longer the case. Women have been ordained for several decades now. Progressive movements will even allow the ordination of openly gay and lesbian people.
Historically the main role of the Ribbi was to interpret the law and to rule during disputes. The congregation was usually managed by laymen. In modern congregations, however, they also accept the roles of leader, pastor, preacher and counselor, much like pastors and priests in Christian churches do. Many Jewish charitable institutions and non governmental institutions are also run by Ribbis.
The requirements for conversion to Judaism differ from denomination to denomination. In most cases the potential convert will be expected to study Jewish law and to start living according to Jewish practices. Formal acceptance is afforded by a religious court with at least three Ribbis presiding. Unfortunately, some movements will not accept converts that have been accepted by other movements.
Rabbis play a very important role in the lives of Jewish communities. They adjudicate disputes, explain the Jewish law and act as community leaders. The culture of Jews is steeped in tradition but is governed by the Torah. The local Ribbi is the final authority regarding the interpretation of these laws.
The term Ribbi or Rabban, as they are also called, derives from the Hebrew word that translates as Great One or My Master. This indicates the measure of respect that these religious leaders enjoy within their communities and congregations. They are revered as scholars and their interpretation of the Jewish law is seen as final and authoritative. They almost always play a prominent leadership role within the Jewish community.
In order to be ordained as a Ribbi it is necessary to complete five years of study. The curriculum is dominated by studies of the Jewish law and responsa. Most Ribbis hold the qualification of Yore yore, which means He Shall Teach. Advanced studies may lead to the qualification of Yadin yadin, translating as He Shall Judge. A very small percentage of Ribbis hold the latter qualification.
There is more than one movement in Judaism and there have always been disputes about the legitimacy of Ribbis between the various branches of the religion. Ribbis from the Orthodox and Conservative movements for example, are reluctant to recognize or accept the authority of Ribbis from other movements. Rabbis from the Reform and Reconstructive movements will accept the leadership of Ribbis from other movements but they reject their interpretation of the Jewish law.
Traditionally only men qualified to be ordained as Ribbis. There are a few notable exceptions, such as Asenath Barzani, who worked as a rabbi among Kurdish Jews in the seventeenth century. With the exception of the Orthodox and some of the more conservative movements this is no longer the case. Women have been ordained for several decades now. Progressive movements will even allow the ordination of openly gay and lesbian people.
Historically the main role of the Ribbi was to interpret the law and to rule during disputes. The congregation was usually managed by laymen. In modern congregations, however, they also accept the roles of leader, pastor, preacher and counselor, much like pastors and priests in Christian churches do. Many Jewish charitable institutions and non governmental institutions are also run by Ribbis.
The requirements for conversion to Judaism differ from denomination to denomination. In most cases the potential convert will be expected to study Jewish law and to start living according to Jewish practices. Formal acceptance is afforded by a religious court with at least three Ribbis presiding. Unfortunately, some movements will not accept converts that have been accepted by other movements.
Rabbis play a very important role in the lives of Jewish communities. They adjudicate disputes, explain the Jewish law and act as community leaders. The culture of Jews is steeped in tradition but is governed by the Torah. The local Ribbi is the final authority regarding the interpretation of these laws.
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